David Lundström

High Accuracy Ground Target Geo-location Using Autonomous Micro Aerial Vehicle Platforms

This paper presents a method for high accuracy ground target localization using a Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) equipped with a video camera sensor. The proposed method is based on a satellite or aeri ...

Validation of Models for Small Scale Electric Propulsion Systems

At Linkoping University work has been carried out towards having an automated designand manufacturing process of Micro Air Vehicles (MAV). A dedicated design optimizationframework has been develope ...

LINKMAV, A PROTOYPE ROTARY WING MICRO AERIAL VEHICLE

Abstract This paper provides an overview about the design of the LinkMAV rotary wing autonomous Micro Aerial Vehicle. The paper describes the flying platform, the main problems related to aerodynamics and propulsion, the onboard avionics and the flight control system, including the autonomous navigation algorithms. We also describe the sensor chosen for the MAV05 competition, held in Garmisch Partenkirchen, and a high level system and multi-modal interface providing more advanced autonomy in terms of collision free path planning and in-flight mission reconfiguration.

Automation of Design and Prototyping of Micro Aerial Vehicle

The presented work is centered on the automation of the design process of Micro or MiniAerial Vehicles (MAV). A design optimization framework that links together a CAD systemfor airframe design and a panel code for aerodynamic evaluations has been developed. Thispaper is based on research and results previously published by the research team. Itdescribes the experiences made so far, and demonstrates with a case study, how fullyautomated design is indeed possible. The user is required to enter the initial requirementsinto the system that will then optimize the MAV design. Both the geometry and thepropulsion system are taken into account. Finally, a 3D printer is used for manufacturing ofthe aircraft. The optimization comprises both discrete and continuous variables. Validationof common propulsion system models is also presented.

Evaluation of Automatically Designed Micro Air Vehicles and Flight Testing

The presented work is centered on the evaluation of Micro or Mini Air Vehicles (MAV) that have been automatically designed and manufactured. An in-house developed design framework uses several coup ...

Distributed Framework for Micro Aerial Vehicle Design Automation

Micro or mini aerial vehicles are characterized by being simple and inexpensive to build, and due to their small size very important to optimize. They are also likely to be built in relatively smal ...

Automated design and fabrication of micro-air vehicles

A methodology for an automated design and fabrication of micro-air vehicles (MAVs) is presented. A design optimization framework has been developed that interfaces several software systems to generate MAVs to optimally fulfil specific mission requirements. By means of amulti-objective genetic algorithm, families of MAVs are tailored with respect to objectives such as weight and endurance. The framework takes into consideration the airframe and aerodynamic design as well as the selection and positioning of internal components. The selection of propulsion system components is made from a database of off-the-shelf components. In combination with a three-dimensional printer, physical prototypes can be quickly manufactured. A validation of the framework results from flight tests of a real MAV is also presented.

Testing of Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on the Performance of Micro Air Vehicles

Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) are generally operated at low altitudes and within the earth boundary layer. This is a very dynamic environment with varying wind intensity and turbulence levels far greater than those experienced by traditional manned aircraft cruising at higher altitudes. Yet aerodynamic research on MAVs is often based on the assumption of steady aerodynamics. Little effort has been made to experimentally determine the validity of this assumption. In this paper, the effect of turbulence on the performance of a MAV is studied using flight testing in different wind conditions. Flight testing technique, data logging equipment and data reduction are explained. Additionally, a low cost technique for propeller performance measurement is presented. Results show that the flow around a MAV flying in windy conditions qualifies as highly unsteady, although the impact on its performance is surprisingly small for the kind of turbulence levels at which MAVs can be expected to operate. Accelerometer data from the flights reveals that if steady aerodynamic theory is assumed, increasing turbulence should have resulted in a measurable drag increase, thus indicating that the tested MAV to some extent passively manages to benefit from the turbulence.

Subscale flight testing used in conceptual design

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the latest subscale demonstrator aircraft developed at Linkoping University. It has been built as part of a study initiated by the Swedish Material ...

Design and Flight Testing of an ECO-Sport Aircraft

The presented work is centered on different concept studies for “greener” sport aircraft. The goal is to show the possibility to manufacture a sport aircraft based on different environmental friendly propulsion systems. A first theoretical part consists of creating a sizing program for studying different concepts. Then the gathered knowledge will result in the realization of two flying down-scaled demonstrators. This study was realized during a student project over a 5 month period.